Two Maoists arrested in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Nov 25 (IANS) Two Maoist guerrillas, involved in the kidnapping of a legislator nine months ago, have been arrested in Odisha, police said Sunday.

Lingama Habika and Kamaya Habika were nabbed from a village in Koraput district during an anti−Maoist operation, said District Superintendent of Police Avinash Kumar.

"They were wanted in many criminal cases, including kidnapping and six murders," Kumar told IANS.

While Lingam was an area commander of the outlawed Communist Party of India−Maoist, Kamaya was an active member of the organisation, he said.

They were involved in the kidnapping of Biju Janata Dal legislator Jhina Hikaka in March, Kumar said.

But Nachika Linga, leader of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha, which works in the state's southern parts, including Koraput, refuted the police claim and said those arrested were innocent and not linked to Maoist guerrillas.

The guerrillas had kidnapped Jhina Hikaka, 37, from Laxmipur in Koraput March 24, and released him more than a month after he promised to resign from the Odisha assembly.